DCU Ladies GAA win All-Ireland Division 2 League Final
Wednesday 22 February 2006

Eimear McGlade, team captain holds the All-Ireland Cup. Photo by Alan Waldron

The Ladies GAA league finished as it began with the pairing of DCU and their biggest rivals, Dundalk IT. After being beaten by Dundalk IT in the first round DCU faced them again in the league final on Thursday the 16th of February 2006.in front of a large crowd on DCU’s home ground.

Playing into a very strong wind in the first half, DCU opened the scoring with a goal from Bronagh Sheridan in the 10th minute after some excellent build-up play from Celia Hogan, Claire Murtagh and Ash Jennings. DCU registered their first point and arguably the best score of the game with a long range point from Niamh McEvoy in the 12th minute, quickly followed by another point from Ash Jennings. Despite the support of a strong wind, Dundalk simply could not register scores on the board due to the intense pressure placed on them by the DCU defenders. Despite the wind, DCU went in leading at half-time on a scoreline of 1-02 to 0-01.

Dundalk were quick off the mark in the second half, with Ger Doherty shooting a point but DCU responded immediately with Bronagh Sheridan getting her 2nd goal of the day. Further points from Niamh McEvoy, Deirdre McDermott and an excellent free from Emma Dunne increased the lead before Dundalk hit back with what turned out to be their last point of the day. DCU continued to exert considerable pressure on the Dundalk defence, Bronagh Sheridan tagging on another 1-02 and Ash Jennings with a brilliant individual goal. Overall, an excellent team performance secured the DCU Ladies GAA team as the All Ireland Division 2 League Champions. DCU displayed the strength and determination within their entire panel as the squad made an impressive win.

Final score: DCU 4-7 Dundalk IT 1-3

DCU Ladies Squad:
Orla Tuite, CJ Hogan, Laura Hyland, Paula McCarthy, Eimear Dolan, Eimear McGlade (captain), Ciara Dempsey, Vickki McGinn, Emma Dunne (0-2), Clare Murtagh (0-1), Niamh McEvoy (0-1), Deirdre McDermott, Aisling Jennings (1-1), Carla Moran (0-1), Bronagh Sheridan (3-1), Elizabeth Munnelly and Eimear Dolan

DCU Ladies GAA will be playing the Garda College in the first round of the Championship at 2pm on Tuesday the 28th of February 2006 at DCU Sports Grounds.

Written by Alan Gallagher